Hinged automobile fender



A 1953 A. E. ZABEL HINGED AUTOMOBILE FENDER Filed April 21. 1950 2 SI-lEETS-Sl-IEET 1 INVENTOR. .4,e-o1 0 E. 24551.,

A 1953 A. E. ZABEL HINGED AUTOMOBILE FENDER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed April 21, 1950 m m "4 m a .M W, w e 2 ATTO/Q/VEYS.

Patented Apr. 7, 1953 HINGED AUTOMOBILE FENDER Arnold E. Zabel, Bremerton, Wash.

Application April 21, 1950, Serial No. 157,365

My invention relates to improvements in hinged automobile fenders.

In-many modern makes of automobiles it is extremely diflicult to change tires, apply skid chains, and the like, because of the large, onepiece, streamlined, skirted fenders which substantiallycompletely encase the wheels of the automobiles, so that the wheels and surrounding mechanism are quite inaccessible. Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide hinged fenders for automobiles which will make the wheels and surrounding mechanism readily accessible.

A further object is to provide a unitary or one-piece hinged fender which is highly simplified, compact, neat and attractive in appearance, the fenders having concealed hinges, and being relatively inexpensive to make. A further object is to provide a hinged fender for automobiles which will add to the attractiveness of the automobile body and its streamlining by eliminating the necessity for the well known separate, removable, side fender panels, presently included in many automobile fenders, to facilitate changing tires, applying skid chains, and the like.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a, hinged fender which may be swung open throughout its entire length for rendering all of the adjacent mechanism on the side of the automobile under the fender readily accessible, the use of the fender making it possible to completely conceal the gas tank cover without the use of any separate, removable or hinged closure member.

ing the rear hinged fender in an open position;

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarge-d, fragmentary, transverse, vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Y Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the automobile shown in Figure 1, my hinged fenders being shown in open position in broken lines;

Figurefj5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontalsection taken on line 5 -5 of Figure 1;

' 2 Claims. (01. 280-153) 2 V Figure 5a is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal,- sectional view taken on line 5a'-5a of Figure 1; a

Figure 6 is a similar sectional view'taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of latch mechanism illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, horizontal; sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 2.

In the drawings, where, for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment'of my invention, the numeral I5 designates generally a modern type of automobile equipped with hinged fenders embodying my invention. The automobile illustrated isa four-door sedan having pairs of front and rear doors I6 and I1, the usual hood l8 and a rear trunk compartment I9. The front hinged fenders 20 extend from the forward edges of the front doors [6- to the headlights-2|, and the top horizontal edges of the fenders 20 are disposed at elevations slightly below the toprof the hood I8, as shown. At their-rear ends; the front fenders I5 extend substantially vertically for the entire heightof the front doors [6 at the forward edges of the front doors. Each front fender 26 is provided in its bottom edge with the usual arcuate wheel-access opening 22, and each front fender is split or separated vertically along a longitudinal, slightly curved line 23 at the top of the fender, and extending for the entire length of the fender from the adjacent headlight 2| to its rear end. Each hinged front fender 20 is likewise split or separated horizontally from a point near the topof the wheel-access opening 22 and at the forward edge of such opening; as shown at 24, alonga substantially horizontal line 25, which extends adjacent to the top of" the usual radiator grille 2-6. The forward end 21 of each hinged fender 20 is substantially vertical, and each fender is formed or contoured to fit around substantially the-outer half of the adjacent headlight 2|.

Each hinged front fender 20 has its rear, gen! erally vertical edge 28 arranged adjacent to the front, generally vertical edge29 of the adjacent front door IS. The usual substantially vertical. front door post or body frame member 30 is pro, vided, and each front door l6-is hingedly secured .to the adjacent post 30 in the usual manner. Each door post 30 is provided with vertically spaced, aligned, apertured lugs 3| receiving therein removable, vertical hinge pins 32, upon which are mounted for free, horizontal, swinging movement, generally U-shaped, curved hinge bars or OFFICE tends adjacent to the side of the engine and may be integrally secured at its rear end to the ad jacent door post 30, as shown. 'Ela'cn hin'ged fender is provided at its rear end with a substantially vertical, laterally inwardlypro jecting" flange 36 integral therewith, and=this*flange--33 preferably carries an elongated, substantially vertical cushion strip or gasket 31 fanned-hr rubber or some other suitable compressible mat'fiatwhe'rif the fender '20 is closed or -in its normal-position; the compressible strip 3'-l-- en'- gages the forward edge or flange 38 of lthe door pest- 309 The enti're fender 20' is sw-ingabl'ehorizontally upon the removable hingepihs 32150 the seen and closed positions shown 'in- Figure 4." '-It should benoted'that' when the fenders '20 are ciasedhr in' their normal positions, the hinge bars 33 and associated-elements are completely con caled'frorn Yiew, and only the substantially vertical parting lines zaiahd ztgais w nas the part ingj line between the edges 28 and 29, are visible. 'Elffen der- 2'0 extends laterally inwardly-be lithe adjacent headlight 2| for a slight dis'- ta as shdwn atfi'il,Figure 6;'ahd"eacli' fende'r is provideddn "its forward endand below the adj'a ent 'headlight"with an opening 49 rotatably receiving therein the "central portion or shank 4 For a'curved latch handle 42,-which extends ad jacent to 'the out'er face of the fender 20 just iibov thegrillefi." A transverse latch extension 6r ss 4a is 'i'ntegrally secured to the inner end of e'shank 4|, ,and provided suits free end withashortfdependingf hook or extension 44-fo1' g r'nent through a/latcheye in-turn-rigidv ounte d upon the inner rage of 'a" front-panel c which thegrille' 26-is secured. -The latch handle 42 is vertically swingable from the-outer sid "t the fender 2G f l-disengag ng thedependhobk{44ffrorn-the eye'45, in order to release the" hinged ferider'so that it" may beswung op'en; wheri; the'fender 20 fisfclos ed, the handle "42 1s er atedf or engaging thehook' M in'the"y 45l H s securely locks/the iendej in its 'n'orm 'lly clds'ed'position." M

;---' The automobile I5 is likewise "equippe with re hinged fenders 4'i,"which are formed one 151 or unitary, and which extend from the rear ve ical edgesof the rear'doors' llto points adfja nt'the rear end of the trunk l9. The rear fenders '41 may have their bottomQhoriz'onta-l edges "48 extending well over the rear wheels of the automobile for providing the maximum wheel coverage, yet afiording, ready access to the rear wheels and associated mechanism when in the op riflp'ositions. '1' ach'rearfender'A'I is split or separated at its top'falong a substantially horizontal, slightly as ed, longitudinal line 49, and'the forward verticaledge 5Dof each rear fender lies adjacent to tli erear vertical edge 5| of the adjacent rear doorJ'I, ,Each rear door I! is hingedly mounted upon a rear, substantially vertical door post or frame member 52 integrally secured at its inner side tola substantially vertical, longitudinal, side they panei'ss, forming the sides of the trunk compartment l9. Each hinged fender 41 is spaced laterally outwardly from the adjacent panel 53 and hingedly connected with the adjacent door post 52 by means of generally U-shaped, curved hinge bars or members 54 substantially identical to the hinge bars 33. The forward ends of the hinge bars 54 are pivotally connected with vertically spaced, apertured lugs 55 by means of removablefvertical hingeEpins EGQ'and the lugs 55 are suitably rigidly secured'to the outer sides of V the door post 52, Figure 5. Each hinged fender '4'! is provided at its forward end with an elongated, rvertical, laterally inwardly projecting flange 5'! integral therewith, and each flange 51 -carries an-elongated, vertical, compressible strip or.=gasket58-of-.rubber or the like which abuts when th'e fender 41 is in the closed position. The

arrangement is such that when the rear hinged fenders 4 1' are in their normallyclosed-positions, the curved hinge bars 54 and associated elements are completely concealedirom-views Each hingedfender 4l:is recessed or notched-in its rear end and "bottom edges43; as at- 60, so; that the fender may clear the-adjacent"curled around en'dsfil of the rear bumper of the automobile. The rear end 62 of each fender'4l isfurther re,- cessed or notched, -as at'63, so that, the fender mayfit around the adjacent taillight fl; z.

"Each rear'fender ,is provided =near itsfrear end and in its outer side and belowtthe adjacent taillight 64 with an opening liiiiwithin. which is rotatably mounted a short 'shank or'shait 66 of alatch handle 6] which extends horizontally. adjacent to the outer faceofztherear, fender, and which may be curved longitudinally to conform to the contour of the fender, FigureS. integrally secured to theinnenendof the shank; is a curved; horizontal latch arm or extensionfiii provided at its ..rear: end with a-depending' hook 59 integral therewithfor' engagementjma loop or eyeifiit in turn rigidly. secured-to-the inneriace of arear, substantially vertical panel'l'larranged between the adjacentrear fender 41 and trunk lid [9. The handle 67 is swingable vertically for latching andunlatching theirear'ghinged fender '4'i;so' that'it maybe swungto and. from its open and closed positions, shown in' Figure 4.

- As shown inFigureii, each hinged fender il i's'pr'ovidedat its innerside and marginaledge with a narrow, flat, :inturnedgvertical flange .12 integral "therewith, and: this flange is continuous and extends entirelyflaboutzthetopand rear end of the fender 47. A companion or mating ,ver tical flange i3 is integrally'secured to :the top of the trunk l9 and rear, panelfli, and-acompressible gasket or seal 41 of rubber or the like may bepermanentl'y securedto the flange l3 and extendingfthro'ughout its entire length; 'When the fender T4 is closed, the flange 12 abuts the gasket '54, so that the tender will be rattle-proof. A similar compressible gasket, not shown; is provided between each front fender 20 and the body oi the automobile, so that the front fenders are likewise rattle-proof.

" Asbest shown in Figure 2, a gas tank inlet pipe it extends through the adjacent side panel 53 and has its cap or cover 16 disposed inwardly of and concealed by the adjacent fender 4'! when such fender is closed. When the 'rear hinged fender 4! is open, as shown dotted in Figure 4, the cover it is exposed, as are the adjacent rear wheel of the automobile, rear spring 17, taillight G4, and other adjacent mechanism which is usually inaccessible due to the-'designof most conventonal rear fenders. When the hinged fender 41 is open, it is very easy to change the adjacent rear tire or wheel, or to apply skid chains, or the like, or to place a lifting jack beneath the spring H.

In order to illuminate the space inwardly of each rear fender 4! when the same is open, I mount a small light 18 on each side panel 53 above the adjacent rear wheel of the automobile, Figure 2. Each light l8 comprises a light bulb 79 mounted in a suitable socket or base 80, in turn rigidly secured to the adjacent panel 53. The wires 8| leading from the light bulb 19 are spliced into the wires leading to the taillights 64, the small lights 19 in no way affecting the normal operation of the electrical circuit of theautomobile. So that mud from the rear wheels will not cover the light bulb 19, I provide the base 99 with a removable sheet metal cover or cap 82.

As shown clearly in Figure 1, the rear hinged fenders M are unitary or formed in one piece, and it is unnecessary to provide the usual removable fender sections adjacent to the rear wheels for providing access to the wheels when changing a tire or the like. As previously stated, when the rear fenders 41' are swung open, the rear wheels and surrounding mechanism are fully accessible. Since the hinges of the front and rear fenders are completely concealed when the fenders are closed, and since the hinged fenders are unitary, they lend themselves to the maximum streamlining of the automobile body, and are extremely neat and attractive in appearance. Further, since the hinge pins 32 and 56 are readily removable, the front and rear fenders 28 and All may be readily bodily removed from the automobile for repairing them, and the like. The arrangement greatly facilitates the repairing of the automobile, and the construction of the hinged fenders is highly simplified, economical and sturdy.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same,

and that various changes in shape, size and ar rangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, an automobile body having a hollow vertical door post open at one side thereof, said post including a flange at the outboard side thereof, said flange having a free edge forming a side oi. the opening, vertical axis hinge pin means mounted within the interior of the hollow post, said pin means being spaced inboardly from said flange, a fender having a rear vertical edge located close to and normally extending vertically along the outboard side of said post flange in the closed position of the fender, said fender having a fender flange extending longitudinally along and spaced laterally inwardly from said one fender edge in a position to engage the free edge of the post flange in the closed position of the fender, and arcuate arm means secured at one end to the inboard side of the fender at a point spaced laterally inwardly from said fender flange, said arm means extending across the separation between the fender and the door post and having its other end pivoted on said pin means behind the post flange whereby said arm means are concealed behind the post flange and the fender in the closed position of the fender.

2. In combination, an automobile body having a hollow vertical door post open at one side thereof, said post including a flange at the outboard side thereof, said flange having a free edge forming a side of the opening, vertical axis hinge pin means mounted within the interior of the hollow post, said pin means being spaced inboardly from said flange, a fender having a rear vertical edge located close to and normally extending vertically along the outboard side of said post flange in the closed position of the fender, said fender having a fender flange extending longitudinally along and spaced laterally inwardly from said one fender edge in a position to engage the free edge of the post flange in the closed position of the fender, and arcuate arm means secured at one end to the inboard side of the fender at a point spaced laterally inwardly from said fender flange, said arm means extending across the separation between the fender and the door post and having its other end pivoted on said pin means behind. the post flange whereby said arm means are concealed behind the post flange and the tender in the closed position of the fender, the said one edge of the fender and a portion of the fender lying between said one edge and said fender flange being arranged to overlie said post flange in the closed position of the fender.

ARNOLD E. ZABEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 96,860 Ryan Sept. 10, 1935 2,157,793 Lang May 9, 1939 2,365,792 Wohlfield Dec. 26, 1944 2,379,341 Craig June 26, 1945 2,383,428 Ulrich Aug. 21, 1945 2,491,791 Allen Dec. 20, 1949 2,491,800 Colaner Dec. 20, 1949 

